Because of Jesus, we can have a “wonder-full life.” That’s our inheritance as children of the King.

A few short years ago Prince George was born to Prince William and Kate. As the future heir to the throne of England, he was a billionaire at birth. According to records, he is the wealthiest prince that England has ever had. But as children of the King of heaven, our inheritance is greater. It is not to be counted in perishable things such as silver or gold. Our inheritance is much greater. It is life and life “to the full.”

What is meant by “life to the full”? Where can we find a picture of this kind of abundant, overflowing life? Well, in John 10:10 where that promise is given, the picture is of sheep with a loving shepherd. Their life is good because He is good. As Jesus spoke in these terms, I think it likely his hearers’ minds would have raced to the beloved 23rd Psalm. It pictures the abundant life so effectively.

This Sunday we will see the abundant life that Jesus promises and we will do so through the word pictures of the Shepherd’s Psalm. Our life is abundant because of . . .

Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” What if the verse had ended after the first three words? “I have come. . . .” We could be left to wonder, “Why did He come?” Should we cower in fear or dance in joy? Is He coming to condemn us for our sins or save us from them?

Thankfully, the verse doesn’t end with those first three words. It continues, “that they might have life!” He did not come to condemn the world but to save us from our sins. That’s the story of Christmas!

Pray for those of us who will be teaching and preaching the Christmas story this coming Sunday. May it resound to the ends of the earth!!

It’s a Wonder-Full Life

“The Wonder of His Intention”

John 10:10-18

Key Verse: “. . . I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b).

Can you guess the top five Christmas movies of all time? According to moviefone.com they are:

A Christmas Carol

Elf

Miracle on 34thStreet

A Christmas Story

It’s a Wonderful Life

Folks might argue over those movies and their order in the list, but for me “It’s a Wonderful Life” is #1! It tells the story of George Bailey. He reaches a point of desperation in his life where he wonders if the world would be a better place if he had never lived. In a whimsical twist, he is actually given the unique opportunity to see what the world would have been like had he not lived. His kid brother, whom he rescued from drowning, would have died. A ship of sailors rescued by the heroic actions of that same brother would all have been lost at sea. His wife would have been a spinster. His children would never have been born. Bedford Falls, his idyllic town, would have been a hard, bitter place known as Pottersville. Little did he know the difference his life had made. By that experience his outlook changed and he came to see that “it’s a wonderful life” that we’ve been given the opportunity to live.

One life can make a huge difference.

One life has done that above all others. That is the life of the Lord Jesus. Because he was born so long ago in Bethlehem and lived sinlessly and died in our place and arose from the dead, we can have life, and have it to the full. It is a wonder full life that we have the opportunity to live. And it is all because of Jesus!